Embracing Hope for the Year Ahead
Each year, as we approach the Head of the Year (Rosh Hashanah), I inquire of the Lord for a message that expresses His heart for the remnant, the Ekklesia, the bondservants of the Lord. This year my spirit is stirred in a way that I can’t quite explain. There is a hopeful and eager expectation arising within me.
It’s as if my eyes are scanning the horizon for what I sense is coming. Maybe it is because I’ve been in a very challenging physical season for the past few years. I’m taxed and spent on multiple levels. I honestly didn’t expect to get something to share this year. At least not something as involved as this. The last time I had a similar unction of the Spirit was for the Hebraic year 5782 (fall 2021).
As I have sat with Holy Spirit over this summer one thing keeps resounding in my spirit; God is going to fulfill what He said He would. Many, like me, have been in challenging and off-putting seasons. It has been difficult to hold on to hope at times. I have had to lean on Holy Spirit increasingly and depend greatly on those around me for support and assistance. I’ve have had to let go of my fierce independence and trust God in ways that have humbled me. In other words, I’ve had to let God hold on to me. I had to become a prisoner of hope.
Since 2022 I have been in a time of great diminishing. A diminishing I hoped, but didn’t really think I would come back from; except for the promise of God. For those who have been following me, you may recognize 1 Peter 5:10 as a word the Lord gave me for 5782 and again for 5783 and again in 5784.
The ‘After’ Season is Upon Us
It seems we are entering the after season of that prophetic word. I’ve talked with a few others who have also experienced a bit of a three year downward spiral in some capacity. And they too are noticing a shift. Minuscule as it may seem for now, we are noticing a bit of upward movement. Additionally, Holy Spirit has been impressing on me that we are entering a pomegranate season, a time of fruitful abundance.
The Pomegranate, A Sign of Fruitful Abundance
Pomegranates have been popping up all around me lately. The Lord spoke to me and said, “This is a sign of the fruitful abundance that is coming this year.”
The pomegranate, with its striking ruby-red seeds, serves as a profound symbol of abundance and renewal across various cultures. This fruit intricately embodies the spirit of life, fertility, and prosperity, representing not only the blessings of nourishment but also the richness of spiritual growth. Each seed within the pomegranate signifies potential and new beginnings, inviting us to reflect on our own journeys of transformation.
The fruit’s deep-rooted associations with divine blessings resonate with themes of hope and optimism, encouraging the hopeful mindset that embraces fresh starts. In essence, the pomegranate inspires a flourishing spirit, urging individuals to recognize and cultivate the abundant opportunities that life has to offer.
Profound Relevance in Scripture
Shivat HaMinim, or the Seven Species, refers to seven special agricultural products mentioned in the Torah that are considered to embody the abundance of the Land of Israel: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates. These species not only symbolize physical nourishment and prosperity but also represent spiritual significance and divine blessings.
In ancient Israel, it was one of the seven species praised for their bountiful nature and was often associated with prosperity and fruitfulness in both physical and spiritual realms. The pomegranate is a wonderful metaphor for the countless blessings that God bestows upon His people, representing the hope of renewal and the promise of a vibrant future.
A Sign of the Good Things To Come
For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of streams of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines, fig trees, and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land where you will eat food without shortage, in which you will not lack anything; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you. ~ Deuteronomy 8:7–10 (NASB 2020)
There’s Even a Special Occasion for the Pomegranate
Since the pomegrante is one of the seven species it has a special place in the annual celebration of the New Year of Trees (Tu’B Shevat) a festive occasion that highlights the significance of trees. The seven species are central to the celebratory meal. This year Tu’B Shevat will begin sundown on February 1, 2025.
Symbolic of Connection Between God and His People
In the context of the temple, pomegranates adorned the garments of the high priest and were intricately carved into the pillars, symbolizing the profound connection between the divine and the earthly. This rich imagery urges the faithful to engage deeply with the abundance and richness of God’s covenant, inviting them to reflect on their spiritual journeys.
The vibrant pomegranate, with its many seeds, serves as a powerful reminder of God’s intention for His people to experience an abundant life filled with blessings and grace. The pomegranate not only reflects abundant spiritual growth but also the transformative power of faith that can change and transform our lives.
As we ponder the significance of this fruit, we are encouraged to embrace the fullness of our relationship with God, knowing that it is God’s desire to bestow upon His people abundant blessing. Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 10:
I am the Door; anyone who enters through Me will be saved [and will live forever], and will go in and out [freely], and find pasture (spiritual security). The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]. John 10:9-10 AAMP
In conclusion
The pomegranate serves as a powerful symbol of the abundant blessings that await us, reminding us of the renewal and potential within each moment. As we embrace the spirit of this fruitful season, let us remain hopeful and watchful for the signs of God’s provision in our lives.
Just as the Lord promises to restore and strengthen us, we too are called to cultivate an attitude of gratitude and openness to the gifts that flow from His grace. May we fully engage in this journey of abundance, drawing nearer to God and nurturing the seeds of faith, love, and joy that will flourish in our lives and the lives of those around us. Let us walk confidently into this new season, ready to receive and celebrate the good things to come.
Be Blessed!
